BBC News
6/22/2005 -- An tiny electronic device, which can be attached to an ordinary
plaster, has been developed by a scientist from London's Imperial College.

The device checks vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure and glucose
levels, sending results to a computer, which highlights any cause for concern.

Trials of the new technology should start in the next few months.

The 'digital' plaster has been designed to be as small as possible

The 'digital plaster' - which measures three millimetres by five - contains
a silicon chip, which can carry sensors for a range of symptoms.

So a sensor could pick up the electrical activity of the heart to show if there
were any problems. Other sensors would check signs such as temperature, or blood
glucose levels. All this information would then be processed by the Sensium
silicon chip which is powered by a tiny battery, the same size as that used
to power a watch.

The data can be sent from the device via a mobile phone or PDA (handheld computer)
on to a computer database, which has been set up to detect results which are
outside defined ranges.

'Tiny device'
The developers say the patient themselves could be alerted if the results were
worrying. The computer which is receiving the information could also be primed
to detect a change in the pattern of results seen, which could then mean a doctor
could be alerted to the problem.

Toumaz, a spin-off company from Imperial College, which is developing the device,
said it could even be used by people who want to keep a remote eye on an elderly
relative.

Keith Errey, chief executive of the company said: "You could include a
motion sensor on there and it could act as a kind of 'granny monitor', so you
would know if your relative had had a fall."

He added: "What we have done is to make this device very small and need
very little power."

June Davison, a cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation said: "Telemedicine
has the potential to greatly enhance patient care so that they can be diagnosed
and treated locally, avoiding the need to travel long distances.

"Telemedical devices to monitor heart health can be of particular use
for those at high risk of arrhythmias or heart disease.

"Telemedicine devices used in medicine vary widely in their complexity
and sensitivity."

But she said: "They still need thorough evaluation before they can be
used widely."

Ms Davidson added: "Despite the advantages of these new communication
tools, nothing can replace the observation, diagnosis and reassurance of a medical
practitioner, who should ideally oversee any monitoring of the patient's condition."